How Staging Flowers Can Boost Your Home's Resale Value (And Be Done Affordably)

As the old adage goes: You never get a second chance to make a first impression. That is certainly true when prospective buyers walk into a home for the first time. In fact, it's commonly believed that buyers will decide whether they're interested in buying a home within the first eight seconds of seeing the property. If you're planning to sell your home, it's essential to do whatever you can to make your home feel instantly warm and inviting — and increase its sale price. One simple, affordable way to do this is by staging it with fresh flowers.

Not having fresh flowers in your home is one of the biggest mistakes home sellers make with staging. Floral arrangements are a great way to add color and life to a space — helping to create a positive first impression for buyers, which can translate into higher offers and less time on the market. To have the greatest impact, it's important to select the right flowers. The colors, style, and size of the arrangements will all influence how buyers react. If you have an existing color scheme in your home, choose flowers that complement that to make the space feel more cohesive. If you're not sure which colors work best, go with something neutral or stick to greenery. Some classic choices include roses, hydrangeas, lilies, orchids, and tulips. It's also a good idea to incorporate some greenery such as eucalyptus or ferns into the arrangement.

For this budget-friendly trick for staging your home, it's important to select flowers that suit the overall aesthetic and to stick with varieties that are in season, such as tulips in spring or hydrangeas in summer. Seasonal blooms will not only appeal to buyers, but also tend to be less expensive. Also, be sure to choose an arrangement that fits with the scale of the room. A large arrangement in a small, crowded room will make the space feel even more cramped, whereas a small bouquet in a large room could throw off the balance.  

The price of flowers can vary depending on the type, quantity, and where you're sourcing them. Start by getting prices from your local florist. If the cost seems too steep, consider checking out a nearby grocery store. Some stores that are known to stock nice stems include Trader Joe's, Ralph's, Wegman's, and Walmart — all of which tend to sell arrangements that range from $5 to $7. 

A few additional tips: While the fragrance of fresh flowers can be part of their appeal, an overpowering scent can be a turnoff to potential buyers — particularly in smaller spaces. Stick with varieties that have a light, subtle scent. Also, if you have ongoing showings at your home, consider the longevity of the flowers to avoid showcasing wilted blooms to buyers. And make sure to change out the water, remove any excess leaves, and trim the bottoms regularly to help keep your cut flowers fresh longer.